Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

For motorcycle enthusiasts, few things beat the thrill of riding out on the open road. But even if you took a motorcycle safety course and you obey all the traffic rules, accidents happen.That’s when you need the skilled legal assistance of our Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers. We know that many motorcycle accidents are not the fault of the biker, but are in fact caused by a car or a truck. It’s the motorcyclist, however, who usually suffers the most serious injuries. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident and were not at fault, we can help make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

When a crash involving a motorcycle occurs, it’s extremely likely that you and your passenger will be thrown from the bike. This can result in serious injury or death. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5286 motorcyclists died in accidents in 2016. And motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than someone involved in a crash who was in a car or other passenger vehicle. The Texas Department of Transportation statistics show that in 2016 Texas alone, 496 people died in motorcycle accidents, and 2008 suffered incapacitating injuries. 3620 people suffered less serious injuries.

Texas Law and Motorcycle Helmets

If you are over the age of 21 and can provide proof that you took a motorcycle training and safety course, or that you have health insurance, Texas law does not require you to wear a helmet. That being said, both NHTSA and TXDOT statistics show that helmets save lives.

When it comes to getting compensation from an insurance company, if you were involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered a head injury and you were not wearing a helmet, the insurance company can argue that you took an unnecessary risk, and try to reduce your compensation. If you did not suffer a head injury, whether you were wearing a helmet or not should not come into play.

Common Motorcycle Accident Scenarios

The NHTSA reports that the most common reason for a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle is that the other driver (of a car or truck) turned left directly in front of a motorcycle, whether the motorcyclist was traveling the same direction or was in the opposite lane of traffic. Both scenarios involve the other driver violating the motorcyclist’s right of way. The other driver would be at fault, and their insurance company would be liable for any injuries you suffered.

Other common situations where another driver causes a motorcycle accident include:

Construction debris or blown tires in the roadway can also cause an accident. In this case, the liable party could be the construction company, or the municipality in charge of keeping the road clear for traffic.

What to Do If You’re Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

Of course, the most important thing is to call 911 if you or a passenger has been injured. Once that has been done, there are several other things you should do if you are able. Or ask someone at the scene to help you.

Take photos of the scene of the accident.

Get the license plate number of the other vehicle involved, even it it’s just a partial.

Get the other driver’s name if possible.

Get the other driver’s insurance information.

Get contact information for witnesses, if there are any.

Don’t discuss the motorcycle crash with the other driver. Anything you say can be used against you. When you have spoken with the police and been treated at the scene or taken to the hospital for any injuries, take this opportunity to call a Dallas motorcycle accident lawyer. A good lawyer will be able to help you navigate the system with the insurance company to make sure your medical needs now and in the future are taken care of.

The Insurance Settlement

Don’t sign any insurance settlement papers without talking to one of our Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers first. Some insurance companies will send adjusters to your hospital bed to get you to sign documents saying you won’t make any future claims if they give you a settlement check. This is not in your best interests — the first offer is not always the best, and you may need future medical treatment related to your injuries.

The majority of accident and injury cases end in a settlement with the insurance company, but there are cases that go to trial. At Dallas Car Accident Lawyers, we start preparing for trial the moment you hire us. We will collect evidence, contact investigators, and interviewing potential witnesses. The better we know your case, the more likely we can negotiate a good settlement. But if we cannot reach an appropriate settlement agreement, we are well-prepared to win your case at trial.

Talk to Experienced Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for Free

Speaking to one of our experienced Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers doesn’t cost you anything except a little bit of your time. At your initial consultation, we’ll talk with you about the accident, the extent of your injuries, and discuss any offers the insurance company(ies) have already made to help you decide how to move forward.